A CONTROVERSIAL planning application to create nine houses in Milbourne, near Minety, has been refused by the Planning Inspectorate.

The plans for Dew Pond Barn were initially refused by Wiltshire Council following an outcry from neighbours and St Paul Malmesbury Without Parish Council in February of last year but developer Willis & Co. sought permission at appeal up to the highest level.

A final decision was made on February 26 in which government planning inspector Paul Dignan cited problems with parking, cramped house layouts and negative effects on the character of the villages as reasons for rejecting the application.